Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV had a strong first full sales month (update)

SGMW (SAIC-GM-Wuling) is a joint-venture between GM and SAIC that is producing a truly affordable electric car perfect for the city environment, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV.

July was the first full sales month for the electric city car Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV and it was impressive with 7.348 units delivered. Currently more than 15.000 units were already delivered.

Who would’ve known that good availability and decent price is important for a small electric car’s success?!

Depending on the version, in China this small electric car has a starting price between 28.800 and 38.800 yuan (3.540 and 4.769 euros).

The secret for the impressive production volume and price achieved by this small electric car has to be its cobalt-free LFP (LiFePO4) batteries. They are safe, durable and extremely affordable. Without rare raw materials, cobalt-free batteries can be produced at extremely high volumes and this truly affordable electric car won’t risk having its production constrained by battery supply…

Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV rear and front

Enough talk, let’s see the basic specs of this electric car.

• Length: 2.920 mm
• Wheelbase: 1.940 mm
• Width: 1.493 mm
• Height: 1.621 mm
• Seats: 4 (2 adults and 2 kids)
• Motor: 20 kW (peak) and 85 N.m of torque
• Top speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
• Range: 120-170 km (NEDC)
• Starting price: between 28.800 and 38.800 yuan (3.540 and 4.769 euros)

This electric car counts with four battery pack versions assembled by three different companies.

LZW7004EVPDBB

• Supplier: Huating (Hefei)
• Chemistry: LFP (LiFePO4)
• Capacity: 9,3 kWh (93 V and 100 Ah)
• Weight: 94 kg
• Energy density: 99 Wh/kg
• Vehicle curb weight: 665 kg
• Vehicle gross weight: 980 kg
• Range: 120 km (NEDC)

LZW7004EVPKAK

• Supplier: Guoxuan
• Chemistry: LFP (LiFePO4)
• Capacity: 9,6 kWh (96 V and 100 Ah)
• Weight: 88 kg
• Energy density: 109 Wh/kg
• Vehicle curb weight: 665 kg
• Vehicle gross weight: 980 kg
• Range: 120 km (NEDC)

LZW7004EVPHAM

• Supplier: Suzhou Keyi
• Chemistry: LFP (LiFePO4)
• Capacity: 13,9 kWh (103 V and 135 Ah)
• Weight: 118 kg
• Energy density: 118 Wh/kg
• Vehicle curb weight: 700 kg
• Vehicle gross weight: 1.020 kg
• Range: 170 km (NEDC)

LZW7004EVPDBA

• Supplier: Huating (Hefei)
• Chemistry: LFP (LiFePO4)
• Capacity: 14,7 kWh (90 V and 163 Ah)
• Weight: 134 kg
• Energy density: 110 Wh/kg
• Vehicle curb weight: 705 kg
• Vehicle gross weight: 1.020 kg
• Range: 170 km (NEDC)

I don’t have the specs of most cells used in these four different battery packs, but the 100 Ah cell made by Guoxuan seems to be the “low-cost type”, as we can see from the table below.

Guoxuan prismatic battery cells

Moving on… the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV isn’t the only affordable electric car from the SGMW joint-venture, there’s also:

Baojun E100

Baojun E100

Baojun E100 specs

• Length: 2.488 mm
• Wheelbase: 1.600 mm
• Width: 1.506 mm
• Height: 1.670 mm
• Weight: 849 kg
• Seats: 2
• Motor: 29 kW (peak) and 110 N.m of torque
• Top speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
• Battery capacity: 28 kWh
• Range: 305 km (NEDC)
• Starting price: between 49.800 and 59.800 yuan (6.120 and 7.349 euros)

Baojun E200

Baojun E200

Baojun E200 specs

• Length: 2.497 mm
• Wheelbase: 1.600 mm
• Width: 1.526 mm
• Height: 1.616 mm
• Weight: 860 kg
• Seats: 2
• Motor: 29 kW (peak) and 110 N.m of torque
• Top speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
• Battery capacity: 28 kWh
• Range: 305 km (NEDC)
• Starting price: between 54.800 and 64.800 yuan (6.734 and 7.963 euros)

Baojun E300 and Baojun E300 Plus

Baojun E300 and Baojun E300 Plus

Baojun E300 specs

• Length: 2.625 mm
• Wheelbase: 1.750 mm
• Width: 1.647 mm
• Height: 1.588 mm
• Weight: 920-940 kg
• Seats: 2
• Motor: 40 kW (peak) and 150 N.m of torque
• Top speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
• Battery capacity: 31 kWh
• Range: 305 km (NEDC)
• Starting price: between 64.800 and 79.800 yuan (7.963 and 9.806 euros)

Baojun E300 Plus specs

• Length: 2.894 mm
• Wheelbase: 2.020 mm
• Width: 1.655 mm
• Height: 1.595 mm
• Weight: 1.040-1.052 kg
• Seats: 4 (2 adults and 2 kids)
• Motor: 40 kW (peak) and 150 N.m of torque
• Top speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
• Battery capacity: 31,9 kWh
• Range: 305 km (NEDC)
• Starting price: between 69.800 and 84.800 yuan (8.578 and 10.421 euros)

The Baojun E300 is well equipped with modern safety features rare in small and affordable cars, such as:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning & Assist System
• Intelligent Safety Protection
• Automatic Emergency Braking System
• Auxiliary and Valet Parking System
• Guided Vehicle Anti-theft Warning System

The 305 km range in NEDC represents around 229 km in WLTP, making this electric car acceptable for many European customers if sold here for a decent price.

Anyway, looking at the table below we conclude that none of these models are eligible for the full government nationwide subsidies in China. However, they do get a 8.000 yuan (982 euros) subsidy if sold in rural areas and in China every electric car benefits from a sales tax exemption until the end of 2022.

Electric car subsidy in China depends on range and battery pack energy density – 2019 vs 2020

Small affordable electric cars are perfect for commuting during weekdays in crowded cities, relegating bigger and heavier cars (electric or not) for the weekends with the family.

My guess is that the first electric car to hit the one million units sold in a year milestone will be a small affordable electric car with a cobalt-free battery.

If you’re wondering, the Hong Guang MINI EV already counts with more than 50.000 orders and the planned production for 2020 (with just six full sales months) is 200.000 units. In 2021 with a full year production I expect at least half million units to be sold…

Would you be interested in one if you could get it for the price of the Renault Twizy (10.000 euros)?

Thanks Leo B for the heads up.